Monsignor Vissanu Thanya-anan said the Thai people are looking forward to seeing Pope Francis whom they perceive as a person close to young people and a man who loves the poor.
“Everyone is happy that he is coming,” said Monsignor Vissanu Thanya-anan. He said the Thais appreciate the pontiff’s encyclical on the environment, ‘Laudato’ si’.
Thailand, a country of 69 million people, has 389,000 Catholic faithful, 835 priests, 1,461 religious men and women, and 1,901 catechists.
Monsignor Andrew Vissanu Thanya-anan, general coordinator of the papal visit, who is also deputy secretary general of the Catholic bishops’ conference of Thailand, said that the pope is coming as a “pilgrim for peace.” He said, the Catholic Church would like ‘to underline that he comes to build bridges for peace and understanding.’
As early as 1511 when the first Catholics arrived from Portugal, Christians have enjoyed the freedom of worship in the kingdom.
Pope Francis is the second pontiff to visit the country, which also marks the 350th anniversary of the formation of the Apostolic Vicariate of Siam.
In 1984, Pope St. John Paul II journeyed to the country, which is known for its respect for religious diversity and inter-religious dialogues.
Credit:
Ucan News
